The Bossier banner., 1887-09-29
"Iake your eyes off me. mister" with
rising accent on the sinister


thought not, and hoped inwardly that
all the cadets were not capable of
affecting such a savage look as did the
young fellow who spoke.
Soon the barracks was reached. The
orderly returned to bring over other re-
cruits, leaving us completely alone. For
several minutes We stood silently in the
hallway OF the Tenth division of bar
racks. Before US was an open door.
A placard displayed the word ..Office."
Inside Eve knew from the sight we
caught OF white trousers and cleaning
bell-buttons) were the .'committee of
reception" !" They were silent; we were
silent. Why didn't they ask us
in? With true Western chivalry |
volunteered to be spokesman of our lit
tie band. In I bolted. but before my
lips were to render their important
charge change came over the spirit
of my dreams. Fifteen STRIPPING SOL
diers jumped out of their seats and
with one accord shouted, presumably to
me, l scarcely knew to whom: "Get
out OF here. mister!" and as smile of
incredulity played upon my features,
"and wipe that smile off your face,
toor
AS nay retreating figure cleared the
doorway one savage throat howled
again: Il want to see you read the
rules before coming in here again,
sir" | and my abashed partners
glanced wonderingly around, hoping
that we had by mistake gotten in the
wrong place, when we noticed on the
Intel OF the door sheet of white pa
per. Some of the rules for the regula-
ton OF new cadets read thus: Before
coming in the Office be careful to but
ton each button of the coat; carry the
palms OF the hands straight to the
front; deport yourself in a military
manner; end every official communica-
ton with Sir always prefix the title,
Mr., to your own and Others names,
and never Speak until spoken tor
Again silence prevailed. Who should
make the next attempt? Who of US
Should inform them that we were sent
over not to be disturbed, but to be as
signed to quarters? Not l. After a
painful suspense long lank fellow
from the South essayed il. In he
walked with "We've come to-"
but no, the band inside, each and every
one sprang from their seats as though
urged by bent pins. "Well, Mr.. Du-
ticket, did you read the orders not to
speak until spoken to? Take your
Shiny eyes of me and quit that gazing
around" said one tall cadet Of ramrod
proportions. A ALTERING outside brought
three of the occupants of the room to
the scene of merriment. Evidently the
gentlemen on the exterior were enjoy
ing their partners discontinue, for il
is human nature for people in misery to
laugh at any thing very ridiculous.
The perpendicular cadet asked: ''What
do you beasts mean by laughing out
herep Suppose you get your fins
around meaning, of course, their
hands. "Well, mister" approaching
an evidently tickled green country fel.
low, you'll find this very serious
affair before you get through; stand up
sir; this is no laughing matter!" These
words rang harshly through the hall.
way of the Tenth division, but there was
none to aid. Retreat was impracti.
cable; to leave in disgust was to re-
nounce all hopes of military fame.
There was but one other refuge-to
fight for liberty. This was subsequently
tried by several of the beasts" but
with poor results, as their disfigured
faces attested. West Point gymnasium
training was too thorough to permit oi
q beast whipping "yearling' q. e..
one who has been at West Point {
year, Even though one of class fall'
victim to the hard blows of a sinewl
plebe, West Point etiquette prescribe'
another and yet another Of the defeated
classmates to fight the victor. and as i
is impossible for one to whip who'll
class the pill, however bitter, must b
swallowed.
The lank Southern youth was still il
, the office, surrounded by a host of ad
mirers. whats your name, mister?'
, queried one. Confidence returning a
this good-natured question. he of tn
South replied. Brown" Confidenc
. was shattered, though, when the infor
nation was hurled back, '.No, sir, Mr.
: Brown-do you understand? Well
now, Mr.. Brown, what's your name ?
, "Mr. Brown"
, Brown was wrong again. "Mr
| Brown, didn't you understand that yo
Z must end all official communication
r with sir?' You are the most B. J..
: plebe ever saw!"
There was once at the academy
8 very saucy plebe named B. j. B, an
!. after his departure the term "B. j.
s has ever been applied to the cheek
8 fourth classman.
8 After Mr.. Brown had been thu
D harshly dealt with for minutes ths
seemed to him hours, and the rest of I
: outside had been swooped down upo